Moose Ponds and Mount Naats'ihch'oh
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MOOSE PONDS AND MOUNT NAATS’IHCH’OH A SOUTH NAHANNI RIVER WHITEWATER CANOE EXPEDITION Nahanni National Park Reserve named a “Must-See Place” by National Geographic! THE STARTING POINT OF OUR JOURNEY IS THE HEADWATER OF THE SOUTH NAHANNI RIVER PHOTO: MELANIE SIEBERT TRIP DETAILS River takes us through the northeast This trip takes place on the YOUR TRIP corner of the Rocky Mountains. The traditional territory of the landscape has a rugged beauty of all Sahtu and Naha Dene and A South Nahanni River whitewater its own. explores the entirety of the canoe expedition from its source in Nahanni River beginning in the the Moose Ponds is a must do for any We will make sightseeing stops at newly formed Naats’ihch’oh experienced paddler/canoeist. Stone Mountain and Muncho Lake National Park Reserve at the foot of the stunning Mt. ITINERARY Provincial Parks. From the van we are Naats’ihch’oh. sure to see stone sheep and mountain caribou along the way. SKILL LEVEL DAY 1 Intermediate/Advanced We will camp for the night on the Rendezvous at the Fort Nelson shores of Muncho Lake. RENDEZVOUS POINT airport upon arrival of the inbound This journey starts in Fort Central Mountain Air flight. Anyone Nelson, BC and ends in Fort who drove to Fort Nelson can leave DAY 2 Simpson, NT. their vehicles at the airport for the duration of the trip. Following breakfast your guides will DURATION organize a half day whitewater skills 22 Days (19 River Days) Following introductions we will load session starting on Muncho Lake and the van and canoe trailer. Our route TRIP TYPE then proceeding down the exciting to the headwaters of the Nahanni Canoe class II Trout River. FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE FAQS AT NAHANNI.COM PAGE 1 This will be a fun warm up and skills country of the continental divide DAYS 11-14 refresher for the Rock Gardens. between the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Planned activities include an A short drive from the takeout is interpretive hike led by a Nahanni the Liard Hot Springs where we will This land is rich in wildlife such as National Park warden (subject to enjoy a meal and a relaxing soak. moose, caribou and trumpeter swans. Park staff availability), to explore Back on the road again we’ll drive to An optional hike up Mount Wilson Rabbitkettle Hot Springs and Tufa Watson Lake and walk through the may be planned. Mounds. historic Sign Post Forest. Leaving the Moose Ponds, we join The Tufa deposits are some of the At Watson Lake, Yukon we drive the Nahanni flowing as a stream; just largest in the world! We then begin north on the Robert Campbell over a canoe length in width. down river canoeing to Virginia Falls. Highway and then onto the Nahanni This easy flowing section of the river Range Road for our detour back into Over the next 40 kms the Nahanni is dominated by U -shaped valleys the NWT and our base on Flat Lake. swells to a formidable river, tumbling which were scoured out by advancing through the boulder strewn “Rock cordilleran glaciers thousands of Gardens”. This stretch offers some of years ago. DAYS 3-8 the best whitewater canoeing in the country. In this section the river meanders Weather permitting we will fly this 120 km (72 mi.) to Virginia Falls morning into the Moose Ponds. Our where we arrive on day 12. Everyone flight takes us north along the divide DAYS 9-10 will appreciate a rest day at Virginia between the Yukon and the NWT. Falls. At over 90 m (300 ft.) Virginia From the plane we will be amazed Paddling on, the down river view is Falls is twice the height of Niagara, with the remarkable views of the blocked by the massif of the Ragged and is the spectacular centerpiece of Logan and Selwyn Ranges. Range. Popular stops are the Island Nahanni National Park. Lakes, Moore’s cabin and Moore’s Our destination is the picturesque Hot Spring. The options for these days are ponds at the base of Mount many - you can lounge in the Naats’ihch’oh which provide a Paddling through “The Gap” we pass group camp area, explore the falls delightful venue for our first camp on the east flank of the soaring Vampire with your camera, or strike off on the Nahanni River. Peaks, shortly after we make a stop an invigorating hike to the grassy at Rabbitkettle Lake. summit of Sunblood Mountain. The Moose Ponds provides an Virginia Falls is a fascinating place to opportunity to explore the alpine discover. FIRST CANYON OF THE NAHANNI RIVER TOWERS TO OVER 1000 METRES IN HEIGHT. NRA ARCHIVES FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE FAQS AT NAHANNI.COM PAGE 2 Following our layover day, we DAY 16 length of this magnificent 26 km complete the 1.25 km portage around canyon, immersed in its splendour. the Falls and reload our canoes. For Today finds us completing the 35 The canyon walls are dotted with the following week we will immerse km Third Canyon and continuing on hundreds of caves. Close to its ourselves in the spectacular scenery through 2nd Canyon, (15 km) where exit we will camp for the night at of the lower Nahanni River. the Nahanni has carved its route Lafferty’s Canyon, with good hiking through the Headless Range and into opportunities. The lower Nahanni is canyon country Deadmen Valley. and is often described as the Grand Day 18 will be a rest day with an Canyon of the North. This valley is known for the legends optional hike up the Lafferty’s side and lore made famous by the canyon. Beginning with Painted Canyon, mysterious deaths of the McLeod so named because of its brightly Brothers. coloured walls, you will experience DAYS 19-20 the thrill and excitement of this large Here the vista is noticeably different, volume whitewater section. On this as the valley opens up, with distant Following breakfast, it’s down to night we will camp in the vicinity of views of the Tlgotsho Plateau. Kraus’ Hot Spring for a soothing dip the confluence with the Flat River. Deadmen Valley offers an abundance in its 32 C plus waters. of exploratory options. The massive Prairie Creek alluvial fan provides From here we bid farewell to the DAY 15 excellent camping, hiking and canyons and make our way to the wildlife observations. Nahanni’s Splits, a 70 km run Downstream we enter Third Canyon through a maze of islands. Bison with its imposing 1200 m walls sightings are common here! formed as the Nahanni has carved its DAYS 17-18 way through the Funeral Range. We will camp in the shadow of the Gate; We start the morning with a run DAY 21 where the river has sliced a narrow through the exhilarating waves of chasm on the apex of a hairpin George’s Riffle and on into First Following breakfast, we will continue meander. Canyon. on to the Native village of Nahanni Butte. (Pop. approx. 120) Remote yet An optional hike to the top of the The imposing walls of FirstCanyon surprisingly modern, a stroll into Gate presents magnificent views of reach heights of over 1400 m. Groups town provides insight into a culture the river valley with imposing Pulpit often choose to simply drift the far removed from most of North Rock 460 m below. America. VIEWS WHILE HIKING SUNBLOOD MOUNTAIN OVERLOOKING VIRGINIA FALLS. PHOTO: NOEL HENRICKSON FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE FAQS AT NAHANNI.COM PAGE 3 Following a snack from the village We adhere to the departure regulation SUGGESTED READING store we will board the Nahanni Butte system of the Park which works to River taxi for the 15 km ride to the ensure that all river travelers have Your guides will carry a small reference Nahanni Butte Road Landing on the the same wilderness experience. library which include field reference Liard River. books. Following are some books for Under certain conditions (weather, winter reading: The awaiting Nahanni Wild forest re, plane availability and shuttle van will take your group to upriver conditions) we may face a 1. Plant Technology of BC Bannocklands, a beautiful inn on the delay in flying into the river. Meals 2. Spirit in the Grass: Chris Harris banks of the Liard river. while en route to our float plane base are not included. There you will enjoy a celebratory CONTACT US meal where you will recount highlights from your journey; Mailing address memories that will last a lifetime. PO Box 31203 Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Y1A 5P7 DAY 22 Toll-free 1-800-297-6927 After a leisurely morning, you will p 1-867-668-3180 be transported to the Fort Simpson Email [email protected] airport to begin your travels home. Web www.nahanni.com Please note: The above is a tentative agenda and has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the river while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of river and weather conditions. DELICIOUS FRESH FOOD FUELS OUR JOURNEY PHOTO: NOEL HENRICKSON FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE FAQS AT NAHANNI.COM PAGE 4.